Juventus v Atalanta

BETTING & MATCH PREVIEW

On Sunday night, Reigning Italian champions Juventus host Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium, in a game that could be crucial in the race for the Champions League spots in Serie A.

Juventus have gone off the boil in Serie A since clinching the Scudetto last month. In fact, Massimiliano Allegri’s team has now failed to win in their last three league games. Last time out, the Bianconeri suffered a 2-0 defeat at Roma.

Rather rarely for Juventus in recent seasons, the Italian champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in six games in the Italian top-flight.

Despite that recent poor run of form in Serie A, Juventus are still 20 games unbeaten on home soil in the Italian top-flight, having recorded 17 victories. The Bianconeri have also been relatively prolific of late on home soil, scoring at least two goals in seven of their last nine league matches.

A recent good run of form has seen Atalanta climb up to fourth place in the Serie A table. However, the boys from Bergamo are just three points clear of fifth-place AC Milan and Roma in sixth, so they need to maintain their form in Turin.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s team have now won fourth straight games in the Italian top-flight and are unbeaten in 11 matches in Serie A.

The visitor’s recent away record is also impressive in Serie A, as they have won four of their last five games on their travels while losing just one of their previous nine matches on the road.

TEAM NEWS

Juventus have a number of likely absentees through injury, including Leonardo Bonucci, Daniele Rugani, Douglas Costa, Mario Mandzukic, Mattia Perin and Sami Khedira.

Atalanta’s only likely absentee is defender Rafael Toloi due to injury.

Match Prediction

Juventus are strong at home but have eased off in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Atalanta have hit form at a good time. I can see the visitors picking up a possibly invaluable point in the race for a top-four spot.